Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns value of an early colt 1908 .380?

I came across an early colt 1908, I believe it was made in the early part of 1932, and was wondering about it. The bore appears to be in fair shape, the pistol itself was carried a lot. The grips are worn slick on the high points and it would be generous to say it retains 5% of its bluing.

One like that is not going to get much collector interest, so it's really worth what one would want to pay for a "shooter." If it's reliable, though, you got yourself a pretty neat little gun. They were built like Swiss bank vaults.

Here's mine with some custom handmade grips. I have the original hard rubber grips (like the ones on yours), but they are too prone to cracking so I don't leave them on the gun.

Thanks for the insight, I guess I will begin keeping my eyes peeled for .380 shells and make some noise with it.

Most excellent little pocket pistols. I have the 1903 .32 that my grandad bought before prohibition and carried it as a prohibition agent in northern IL as he thought the 1911 was too heavy. He had the clip put on it so he wouldn't need a holster.



MODEL 1908 POCKET (MODEL M .380 ACP)
- .380 ACP cal., first issue, 3 3/4 in. barrel only, similar to Model M .32 ACP, except chambered for .380 ACP. Mfg. 1908-1940.
Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
$1,650 $1,475 $1,200 $900 $800 $700 $450
Add 15% for Type I (see explanation below).
Add $100 for nickel finish.
Add 50% for factory pearl grips.
100% values assume NIB condition. Subtract 15% if without cardboard box. Pearl grips are normally encountered with nickel finish on this model.
Type I - 380 ACPs with barrel bushing and were mfg. 1908-1910 (6,251 mfg.). They are serial numbered 1-6,251.
Type II - 380 ACPs do not have a barrel bushing and were mfg. 1910-1926. They are serial numbered 6,252-92,893.
Type III - 380 ACPs have the added magazine safety (of which there are both the commercial and "U.S. Property" variations). They are serial numbered 92,894-134,499.

Local store is selling a VERY early Colt 1908.
Type I with barrel bushing and four digit s/n.
.380 ACP cal, original hard rubber grips, NOT cracked
Grade: 90 - 95% They are asking $795 for it. The
price seemed too high and I have a Sig/Sauer .380,
so I passed on it.

However .... if I read your chart correctly
then I should drive back tonight and get it.
Comments please

That is the rarest of the rare, if you don't want it give me the shop contact info via PM PLEASE!

TLEE - Thanks for the heads up on it !
Get off work in two hours and plan to drive
directly to the store. I'll post some pictures
in 10 days when I get it. Right now -
kinda feel like a kid again, on xmas eve.

Hope ya get it and looking forward to the pictures.

hotload, did you get it?

No ... when I got back to the store they had raised the
price to $1495. Just did not have the $ and I was mad.

That is too bad. They probably saw this thread.